THE MATHEMATICS OF GOD & MONEY

"You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both" - Matthew 6:24 (MSG)

Several years ago, a man was given an unusual assignment to build an ark that is 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 55 feet high. He accepted this unusual challenge and set out to work even when it did not make sense to everyone around. In a bid to complete the task before the timeline, he recruited several labourers, craftsmen and other artisans to assist on the project. While the project was ongoing, the man spent quality time explaining to all the labourers the importance of the ark and also encouraged them to prepare to join him on the ride when the project was completed, but no one believed him. They were only interested in the project because of their earnings from the work. 

After several years of hard work, the task was eventually completed, and everyone who worked on the project was handsomely rewarded. In fact, some of the workers were given awards for being the longest serving staff, and most committed worker on the ark project. They were all happy working on the project and they left the project site thereafter. After many days, while they were celebrating and enjoying the money they made from the project, the floor gates of heaven broke loose and rain began to fall. Within a few minutes, everything on the earth was completely submerged, and the ark began to float. Only the man, his family, all the different species of animals and fruits on board the ark survived the flood. The question is, where were those people who worked tirelessly for several years to build the ark. The obvious answer is, they got the pay and missed the place.  

There are two categories of people in our world today: Those who are working for the pay and those who are working for the place. In the mathematics of God’s kingdom, the pay and the place are mutually exclusive options. These two choices cannot exist at the same time. They are distinct and separate, one can only pick one at a time. This was exactly what our Saviour told His disciples during his sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:24-33). This kingdom mathematics is still very relevant in our world today. 

The scripture is full of examples of those who do not understand this powerful kingdom mathematics of God and Money. Some of these people believed they could eat their cake and still have them. They wanted to get to the place but they were being lured away by the size of the pay. They couldn't say ‘no’ to the evil carrot of immediate gratification and ungodly money that was being dangled before them. They eventually received their pay but forever bade farewell to their place.

For example, all the workers that helped Noah to build the ark only received their pay but missed their place in the ark (Genesis 7:21-23). Imagine how those hard working labourers who built the ark that floated eventually sank like lead in the days of Noah. Have you forgotten how that potential prophet of God - Mr. Gehazi collected his pay from Naaman and mortgaged his place of glory as a prophet in the catalogue of destiny (2 Kings 5:20-27). Also, you will recall how the Chief Accountant of Jesus Worldwide Ministry - Mr. Judas Iscariot missed the place of power, honour and glory at the very crucial minute when he chose to collect the pay of 30 pieces of silver from the Jewish High Priest (Acts 1:16-19, Matthew 25:14-16). They all got their pays but missed their place of glory in the corridor of destiny. Hmmm! What a terrible error!

Beloved, it is unfortunate that many have not learned from the examples above. Indeed, many still love money more than God. This is evidenced in their attitude and disposition towards money. They are willing to serve and worship money instead of serving God alone wholeheartedly. They can do anything to get money at the expense of their eternal destination. There is a first class ticket to the colony of lepers in the pocket of many believers like their senior brother and mentor - Gehazi.  

Dear friend, do you really understand this kingdom mathematics of money and God? Are you working for the pay now at the expense of the place in the ark of safety? Why will you sell your birthright because of a plate of pottage and bread like Esau (Genesis 25:31-34)? Why will you labour so hard with your Noah here on earth and still miss the flight of the saint to the Place of Rest in Heaven? Why will you allow the temporary pleasures at the transit station of this world to make you lose your place of glory with God? 

"The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you" Matthew 6:33 (ICB)

This special hymn below re-echoes the salient teaching of Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives:

VAIN ARE ALL TERRESTRIAL PLEASURES By David E. Ford, 1828 

Vain are all terrestrial pleasures,

Mixed with dross the purest gold:

Seek we, then, for heav’nly treasures,

Treasures never waxing old.

Let our best affections center

On the things around the throne:

There no thief can ever enter;

Moth and rust are there unknown.

Earthly joys no longer please us;

Here would we renounce them all;

Seek our only rest in Jesus,

Him our Lord and master call.

Faith, our languid spirits cheering,

Points to brighter worlds above;

Bids us look for His appearing;

Bids us triumph in His love.

May our light be always burning,

And our loins be girded round,

Waiting for our Lord’s returning,

Longing for the welcome sound.

Thus the Christian life adorning,

Never need we be afraid,

Should He come at night or morning

Early dawn, or evening shade.

May we not allow the transient pleasures and enjoyment of the world make us lose our place in the Mansion that the saviour has gone to prepare for us. 

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to the 73rd Annual Convention 2025 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Theme: THE OVERCOMERS. Date: 4th to 10th August 2025. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Ogun State.

Good day and God bless you.  

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com